It is irelands most precious medieval artifact and is generally considered the finest surviving illuminated manuscript to have been produced in medieval europe. Dublin to kells 4 ways to travel via bus, taxi, car, and. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the biblical new testament gospels in latin and created in a british or irish columban monastery dating back to c. We had to wait for a few minutes before we were able to. Written around the year 800 ad, the book of kells contains a richly decorated copy of the four gospels in a latin text based on the vulgate edition completed by st jerome in 384 ad. The book of kells, dublin tourist information dublin. The book of kells holds a special place in the history of western art as a crowning achievement of the insular manuscript tradition. Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this book of kells and dublin castle exterior tour. Book of kells, dublin ticket price timings address. Learn about its dense symbolism and rich ornamentation.
Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. Books 17 the rich history of trinity college dublin makes for compelling reading. Nov 05, 2015 arguably the most famous artifact on display in dublin is the book of kells also known as the book of columba at trinity college. The beyond the book of kells lecture series is lead by dr mark faulkner of trinity colleges school of english. The 9th century book is a richly decorated copy of the four gospels of the life of jesus christ. A visit to the book of kells at the old library in trinity college dublin is a journey through some of irelands most iconic cultural heritage. The book of kells is displayed at the end of an exhibit titled turning darkness into light which provides historical context for the manuscript. A large, lavish gospel, such as the book of kells, would have been left on the high altar of the church and taken off only for the reading of the gospel during mass.
An experienced driver navigates the roads safely and a. Afterwards step in to the breathtaking long room which houses over 200,000 of trinity college dublins oldest books. The book is a major dublin attraction and attracts many travelers, particularly during summer. The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds most famous medieval manuscript. Well worth the 40 minuet tour and you ticket includes admission to the library where the book of kells exhibit lives. You will explore the 9th book of kells rich ornamentation, multilayered symbolism and meaning. Trinity college book of kells number 31 dublin luxury. Ticket prices are reduced by 15% during this period. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin 2020 all. The old library and the book of kells is a lovely library thats often crowded. The book of kells is a masterpiece of medieval arta brilliantly decorated version of the four gospels with fullpage depictions of christ, the virgin and the evangelists as well as a wealth of smaller decorative painting. The book of kells is the centrepiece of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to trinity college dublin each year.
The manuscript takes its name from the abbey of kells in county meath that was its home for centuries. Aug 15, 2019 after a viking raid which killed many members of their community they moved inland to kells, county meath about 70 kilometers northwest of dublin and continued work on the book. The book of kells, which is on display in trinity college, was written around the year 800 ad and is one of the most beautifully illustrated manuscripts in the world. Spend less time reading maps and more time soaking up the scenery on a stressfree tour from dublin. It is indeed an interesting place to explore and spend some time at. For those who like to enjoy a more cultural or literary break, a trip to the trinity college library where the famous book of kells is housed, is a must. Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in rome2rios travel planner. The long room and the exhibition remain open for visitors. Enter the old library at trinity college dublin to see the illuminated manuscript of the book of kells. This official guide by the former keeper of manuscripts at the library of trinity college, dublin, where the book of kells is on permanent display, provides fascinating insights into one of the greatest surviving examples of medieval art.
The long room in the old library at trinity college, dublin upstairs from the chamber with the book of kells is the old librarys bustlined long room, the aptlynamed main stacks of the original library, a 65meter 2foot built in 171232 the second level was added in 1860 and housing 200,000 books alongside busts of famous writers, philosophers, and others associated. Dublin dublin has many places of interest and attractions to make a visit to irelands capital city a memorable one. Visiting the book of kells at trinity college library, dublin. Enjoy ease of access with online fasttrack ticket entry to the book of kells. Youll still get only a fleeting moment with the book of kells, as the constant flow of viewers is hurried past. The book of kells was probably produced in a monastery on the isle of iona, scotland, to honor saint columba in the early 8th century. Trinity offers iconic meeting and event space, stylish dining and over 600 bedrooms on its historical campus. We will be in dublin next month over a weekend and want to visit trinity college and library. Located in the heart of the city centre in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book of kells, a 9th century manuscript that documents the four. The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds.
May 19, 2020 the book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. It is known for its worldrenowned artistry, as well as its many hidden secrets and mysteries dating back to the 800. This tour starts by delving into the book of kells rich ornamentationsymbolism, and is followed by a fully guided engaging medieval walking. It is held as part of the manuscript, print, and book cultures research theme, in association with the trinity long room hub, the faculty of arts, humanities, and. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin, ireland. Collegebook of kells on their website which shows they offer a regular ticket at the door for 10 or online fast track ticket for for old library exhibition and book of kells then i found a link on their website for the trinity college tour which is a scheduled 35 minute guided tour of the four squares of the campus followed. See more ideas about book of kells, illuminated manuscript and celtic art. It was stolen in the 11th century, at which time its cover was torn off and it was thrown into a ditch. We had to wait for a few minutes before we were able to get close to the display. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. Located in the heart of dublin city, a walk through the cobbled stones of trinity college dublin will bring visitors back to the 18th century, when the magnificent old library building was constructed. Oct 10, 2011 visiting the book of kells at trinity college library, dublin.
Find hotels in dublin compare 489 hotels in dublin with trivago. The book of kells, one of irelands great treasures is also a european cultural icon, and is among our top ten tourist attractions. Top 10 dublin hotels near the book of kells ireland. Books the rich history of trinity college dublin makes for compelling reading. The book of kells site is open daily with varying hours by season may to september. Trinity college old library and book of kells exhibition. Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour 2020. I am doing some research into ticket options for trinity collegebook of kells on their website. Book of kells and old library in dublin visit a city. Visitor attractions include the old library and the book of kells exhibition, gift shop, science gallery, zoological museum and cafes. Discover how the worlds most famous medieval manuscript was made and learn about the rich symbolism behind it. Today, it is on permanent display at the trinity college library, dublin. Buy book of kells tickets from the official ticketmaster. With over 2000 of the oldest books housed in this gorgeous library, plus the book of kells, the 9th century gospel manuscript, what else could you ask for.
I know you can book tickets online but these are for a specific time slot, which wont work for us as we have tours outside dublin and may not make it. Discover one of the most important highlights of irish heritage on this early access fully guided tour. Whether a rousing account of the history of women in the college, or a lushly illustrated coffee table edition, trinitys book collection will both exhilarate and delight. Book your tickets online for the book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. Beat the crowds for early access to the old library in trinity college to get an upclose look at this celebrated text. Jan 22, 2014 book of kells is the first exhibit you enter. Together with the gospels of lindisfarne and the book of durrow, i would say that the book of kells is one of the. Meath, ireland, the book was brought there after the monastic community on iona fled raids in the early ninth century.
You simply cant travel to the capital of ireland without the book of kells being mentioned. Nov 22, 2019 the book of kells is a stunningly beautiful manuscript containing the four gospels. Trinity college is home to the famous book of kells. After a viking raid, the book was moved to kells, ireland, sometime in the 9th century. Located in the heart of the city centre in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book of kells, a. I love losing myself in their pages on a rainy day. How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price. Oct 31, 2006 the book of kells is the centrepiece of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to trinity college dublin each year. The old library gets very busy during the summer months, so its recommended to go online and buy a fasttrack ticket, which gives timed admission to the exhibition and allows visitors to skip the queue. The book of kells, dating from about 800 ce, is a beautifully decorated manuscript of the four gospels.
The magnificent book of kells is widely regarded as irelands most valuable national treasure. Written around the year 800 ad, the book of kells contains a richly decorated copy of the four gospels in a latin text based on the vulgate edition completed by. Seeing the book of kells in dublin changes in longitude. The book of kells is one of the worlds most famous and beautiful manuscripts of the four gospels of the new testament written in latin. The book was found in the abbey of kells, hence its name the book of kells. Aug 9, 2014 four gospels illuminated by the columban monasteries 800 a. Scolar press for trinity college library dublin, 1994.
If youre looking for things to see and do in the area, you might like to visit grafton street and dublin castle. Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous. The old library gets very busy during the summer months, so its. There are fantastic informational displays leading into the book of kells. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin.
Fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with dublin castle trip. Its in a welcoming neighborhood well known for its great entertainment and bars. No book evokes such passion amongst art lovers as the 9th century illuminated manuscript known as the book of kells. Rome2rio makes travelling from dublin to kells easy. Apr 17, 2014 the book of kells and the old library exhibition. June 6, 2018 this entry is part 4 of 6 in the series exploring. The book of kells is one of dublins main tourist attractions, but is it worth the 10 entrance fee. Written on vellum and containing a latin text of the gospels, it is one of the most popular sights in dublin. After a viking raid which killed many members of their community they moved inland to kells, county meath about 70 kilometers northwest of dublin and continued work on the book. Confusion over trinity collegebook of kells tours dublin. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make. The library is like a piece of heaven on earth for book lovers of course and also for others as it is exceptionally calm and informative. There are 4 ways to get from dublin to kells by bus, taxi, car or towncar. Trinity college dublin is the oldest university in ireland, founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth i and famous for its graduates such as swift, goldsmith, wilde and beckett.
Created in the years around 800, it survived viking raids and the theft of its jeweled covers. As part of ongoing conservation plans for the old library, the book of kells has been removed from public display until march 2020. One thing to note is the area around the book of kells is not huge. Book of kells at the old library in trinity college dublin is a journey through some of irelands most iconic cultural heritage. The book of kells, one of great treasures of medieval europe, is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing four gospels of new testament matthew, mark, luke and john together with various prefatory texts and tables. More history about the book of kells, brian borus harp, a medieval musical instrument and the trinity library. The book of kells and the old library located inside trinity college dublin is a must see attraction for anyone visiting dublin.
It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland and may have had. The strange imagination displayed in the pages, the impeccable technique and the very fine state of preservation make the book of kells an object of. The old library and the book of kells exhibition is a must see on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. It is held as part of the manuscript, print, and book cultures research theme, in association with the trinity long room hub, the faculty of arts, humanities, and social sciences, and the library of trinity college dublin. The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. Find all the transport options for your trip from dublin to kells right here.
The book of kells here, is a manuscript of the gospel. Housed within the old library building, the book of kells is a precious 9th century manuscript, featuring an exquisite combination of ornate latin text and intricate illuminations. Your entry ticket also includes admission to temporary exhibitions on display in the east pavilion. Dublin to kells 4 ways to travel via bus, taxi, car, and uber. Rome2rio is a doortodoor travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Fasttrack access book of kells and dublin castle tour dublin. A walk through the cobbled stones of trinity college dublin will bring visitors back to the 18th century, and offers a view of the book of kells, the worlds most famous medieval manuscript. Apr 19, 20 the book of kells, one of irelands great treasures is also a european cultural icon, and is among our top ten tourist attractions. But despite visiting dublin on numerous occasions, i had never visited one of the most famous books, in one of the most famous libraries, in the world the book of kells in the trinity college library.
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